Bay City woman charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from emotionally challenged woman in her care

BAY CITY, MI — A 44-year-old Bay City woman is facing a 10-year felony after police say she scammed thousands out of an emotionally challenged woman in her care.

Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly on Monday arraigned Barbara L. Parker on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult more than $20,000. In addition to facing a possible 10-year prison sentence, a person convicted of the charge could have to pay a fine of $15,000 or three times the amount stolen.

Officers with the Bay City Police Department began investigating in June when they received a complaint from a state worker that Parker, an employee of Independence House, an adult assisted living facility at 1306 38th St., was taking advantage of a 27-year-old woman residing there.

The alleged victim told police she moved into the facility in February and quickly became friends with Parker. Over time, Parker convinced her to purchase expensive items on credit cards, for which Parker would buy from her for less in cash, the woman told police.

The woman agreed to sell Parker her iPad for $400, but only received $100, she said. She later re-opened her Best Buy credit card and purchased two laptops, one desktop computer and a Frigidaire stove, selling all but one of the laptops to Parker, the woman told investigators.

Parker sought to buy a Dodge Charger from a local dealership and attempted to get the younger woman to co-sign a loan with her. When the loan was denied, the woman bought the car herself for Parker, she said. The woman said she was wary all along, but only told her case worker what was going on when Parker said she might need her to pay for the insurance on the new car, she told police.

The woman told officers she kept buying things for Parker because she trusted her and did not want to lose her as a friend.

“I was afraid that if I didn’t keep buying her stuff, she wouldn’t like me anymore,” she said, according to police reports. “I thought I finally found someone who loved me for just me.”

The woman said she started calling Parker “mom” when Parker expressed interest in adopting her. Parker in turn referred to the younger woman as her “savior,” the woman told investigators.

Interviewed by a detective in late July, Parker initially denied any wrongdoing. She said she bought an iPad, a stove and a laptop from the woman, but never encouraged her to open new credit cards or offered to pay her credit card bills. She said the Charger was actually for the woman and provided photos of the woman standing beside the vehicle with the keys in her hands, looking excited, police reports show.

“If anything, she was taking advantage of me,” Parker told police.

Parker also denied that she tried to get the other woman to co-sign a loan with her, but eventually said that she did indeed attempt such an action. She said the auto dealership salesman had the idea of then having the woman purchase the vehicle.

Parker later told the detective she went to Best Buy with the younger woman knowing what she was doing was wrong. Authorities issued a warrant for Parker’s arrest on Aug. 9.

At her arraignment, attorney C. Michael Gorte said he planned to represent her.

“She has fully cooperated with the investigating officer concerning this incident,” Gorte said, adding that his client has no criminal history and is not a flight risk.

Kelly set Parker’s bond at $10,000 cash-surety or 10 percent. If she posts it, she is not to have contact with her alleged victim.

Parker is set for a preliminary examination before District Judge Dawn A. Klida at 3 p.m. on Aug. 27.